Dreams FC are on track for a historic feat in their debut season on the African continent, eight years after their promotion to the Ghanaian top-flight.
The Dawu-based side upset top side Stade Malien of Mali in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finals last Sunday. They came from a goal down to win 2-1 in Bamako, with a brace from 31-year-old John Antwi.
Dreams FC became the only Ghanaian side to have recorded two away wins in the knockout stage of CAF competitions in 20 years. They already have an away win over Academica do Lobito(3-2) in December.
They had to go past Milo FC and Kallon in the preliminary stage to become the first Ghanaian side to reach the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup since 2019.
Dreams FC had a difficult start to their group stage campaign, losing 2-0 away to Club Africain in their first group game.
However, three successive wins against Rivers United and Academica home and away put the Ghanaian club in total control in Group C, finishing level on points with Rivers United despite losing to the Nigerian side on the final day.
This remarkable achievement marks the first time a Ghanaian club has advanced to the knockout stages of the competition in two decades.
Accra Hearts of Oak is the only Ghanaian to have won the CAF Confederation Cup beating their arch-rivals Asante Kotoko 7-8 on penalties in January 2005. But the “Still Believe Boys” impressive run has raised eyebrows through the continent and ignited measured hopes of an unprecedented triumph.
“I take it match by match. I’m in the quarter-finals of the CAF Confederations Cup and the FA Cup. When I get to the semi-finals that’s when I will get a sense of whether we can go for the ultimate. For now, I am working hard to go all out to do what I do best so we get to the last four of both competitions,” Dreams FC coach Karim Zito told flashscore.
‘We almost opted out due to financial reasons’
The Dawu-based side almost refused to participate in the competition due to financial and logistical reasons.
The club’s management was divided over the decision to participate in the competition at the start of the season.
“Some of us in management were against the club’s decision to go to Africa because if you look at the record of Ghanaian clubs in recent times in Africa, we thought going to Africa would be counterproductive.”
“Some Board members saw what we are seeing today that most of us didn’t see and advised that, going to Africa will be beneficial to Dreams FC,” general manager of the club, Ameenu Shardow told Nhyira FM.
Big test on Sunday in Kumasi
Dreams FC take the 2-1 advantage to the second leg against Stade Malien at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday for a place in the last four. But what are the chances of Karim Zito’s side reaching the semi final for the first time in the club’s history?
On the pitch, Dreams has been a classic example of tactical discipline, a clinical and pragmatic team.
Karim Zito’s side have scored 19 goals, that’s 1.73 goals per game in 11 games so far in the competition, while they have conceded 12 goals.
Meanwhile, their opponents have scored 17 goals and conceded 13 in 11 games.
Dreams FC have won all of their last 5 home matches averaging 2.20 goals in their most recent home matches in the CAF Confederations Cup. They are unbeaten in 5 of their last 6 matches.
Stade Malien, 2nd in the Mali Premiere Division have won just two of their last six away games in the CAF Confederations Cup and have conceded 1.60 goals on average. They have one win in their last 6 games in all competitions.
Historically, no Ghanaian club has lost a knockout game at home in the CAF Confederation Cup.
“It’s over until it is over. We have a second leg coming up in Kumasi so we are preparing ourselves and we will give 100%.- goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi said.
Agbasi words just imply the mentality of the team and with the maximum in Kumasi, Dreams will probably surely come true.
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